Iceland – Land of Fire and Ice

Get ready to experience the Land of Fire and Ice like never before—a guided journey that combines Iceland’s awe-inspiring landscapes with rich natural history and local folklore. This is a place where towering waterfalls roar like thunder, volcanic landscapes steam with the power of the Earth’s core, and glaciers carve their way through mountains in a relentless dance of ice and fire. Imagine walking along black sand beaches, witnessing powerful waterfalls cascading from cliffs, and soaking in thermal hot springs surrounded by incredible views.

But Iceland is more than just an impressive landscape—it’s also a birder’s paradise. This country’s remote position between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans means we’ll witness an amazing mix of resident and migratory species. From colonies of puffins perched on cliffs to Arctic terns diving with precision, every scene in Iceland is memorable.

Beyond birding, we’ll dive into Iceland’s rich folklore, from the tales of elves and hidden people that have shaped the country’s culture to sagas that speak of Viking explorers. We’ll also explore by boat in search of charismatic marine mammals that frequent Icelandic waters.

Join Denver Audubon and Reefs to Rockies on this 11-day birding and natural history adventure. From the folklore that weaves through the landscape to the breathtaking sights of Iceland’s wildlife and natural wonders, this is an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the heart of magical Iceland.

About Your R2R Guide: Kyle Carlsen from Reefs to Rockies is excited to co-lead this expedition alongside our local Icelandic guide. With a deep passion for avian research and conservation, Kyle has extensive experience both in the field and as a published writer. His work has appeared in numerous journals, books, and magazines, showcasing his expertise in ornithology and wildlife. You may also recognize him as the education coordinator for Wild Birds Unlimited of northern Colorado, where he regularly engages the community in birding education and conservation efforts.

About Your Icelandic Guide: Born and raised in Iceland, Snorri Ingason has spent his life immersed in the natural beauty and folklore of his homeland. With more than a decade of experience as a naturalist guide, Snorri brings an unmatched passion for Iceland’s wildlife, geology, and rich cultural history to every adventure he leads. His expertise extends beyond just the natural world—Snorri is also a storyteller at heart, sharing his homeland’s fascinating folklore and rich history. With his deep respect for nature and Iceland’s heritage, he provides travelers with an insider’s perspective on the magic that makes Iceland so special.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Thurs., May 22): Arrival – Reykjavik ~ Upon arrival to Keflavik Airport (KEF), you’ll be met and transferred to Reykjavik for a guided city tour and our first birding together. This afternoon, soak in the Blue Lagoon’s therapeutic waters, an excellent way to relax after your overnight flight. We’ll end the day with a delicious dinner before retiring at our hotel in Reykjavík.

Accommodations: Hotel Skuggi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 2 (Fri., May 23): Reykjavík – Eyrarbakki – Vik – Kirkjubæjarklaustur ~ Today we begin our journey along Iceland’s legendary ring road, aka Route One, that circumvents the whole island. We’ll first explore the coastal village of Eyrarbakki, home to the Flói Bird Reserve, where we expect to find an array of birdlife, followed by visits to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.

In the afternoon, we will be in and around the fishing village of Vik, the southernmost settlement in Iceland. We will take time for birding at the cliffs of Dyrhólaey and relax on the striking black sands of Reynisfjara. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Accommodations: Hotel Laki

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 (Sat., May 24): Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Ingólfshöfði – Jökulsárlón – Höfn ~ We’ll kick things off with a puffin tour at the Ingólfshöfði Nature Reserve, where we’ll get up close to these charismatic seabirds nesting on the rugged cliffs. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy an amphibian boat tour on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the spectacular setting for many a Hollywood film, followed by a visit to Fellsfjara’s Diamond Beach, where glistening icebergs create a mesmerizing contrast against the black sand. Our day will end with some evening birding and a relaxing dinner at our hotel in Höfn.

Accommodations: Hotel Höfn

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4 (Sun., May 25): Höfn – Djúpivogur – Myvatn ~ We’ll drive up to the scenic small town Djúpivogur for some birding before continuing along the east fjords of Iceland, stopping often for birding and wildlife viewing. Fingers crossed that we see reindeer today! A highlight today will be a stop at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, before we settle in at Myvatn for the night.

Accommodations: Fosshotel Myvatn

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 (Mon., May 26): Myvatn ~ Today is a full day of birding local hotspots. The Lake Mývatn region is renowned for its incredibly rich birdlife making it a birder’s paradise. The lake is home to one of, if not the, world’s greatest diversity of nesting ducks. The area is also well known for its large populations of Gyrfalcons. We will also visit Sigurgeir´s Bird Museum, one of the most beautiful natural history museums in the country and a must-stop for anyone interested in birds. Dinner and overnight in Myvatn.

Accommodations: Fosshotel Myvatn

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 (Tues., May 27): Myvatn – Akureyri – Laugabakki ~ This morning we’ll stop by Godafoss Falls, aka “Waterfall of the Gods,” before embarking on a sailing tour that combines whale watching and birding in Eyjafjörður bay. We will also stop for additional birding in Langidalur and Gauksmyri as we make our way to Laugabakki, where we’ll stay for the night.

Accommodations: Hotel Laugabakki

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 (Wed., May 28): Laugabakki – Patreksfjörður ~ Today we explore West Iceland, birding in Dalir and Barðaströnd. We’ll end up in Patreksfjörður, where we’ll stay for the next two nights.

Accommodations: Hotel Breiðavík

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 (Thurs., May 29): Patreksfjörður ~ Today’s agenda includes a morning hike to reach Látrabjarg, Europe’s largest bird cliff and on the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. On high, jagged formations shaped by volcanic action and pounding icy surf, the stunning cliffs host huge colonies of seabirds including kittiwakes, murres, razorbills, and puffins. We will also visit a folk museum in Hnjótur and enjoy some birding in Rauðisandur before settling in for another night in Patreksfjörður.

Accommodations: Hotel Breiðavík

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 (Fri., May 30): Patreksfjörður – Stykkisholmur ~ Today we travel to Stykkisholmur Village and take a lovely ferry ride across the spectacular seascape of Breidafjordur Bay dotted with 3,000 tiny islands. Encircled by mountains and Snaefellsjokull Volcano, the dramatic bay is home to 50 bird species, including the rare White-tailed Eagle and gray seals that enjoy lounging about on the small islets. Dinner and overnight in Stykkishólmur.

Accommodations: Fosshotel in Stykkishólmur

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 (Sat., May 31): Stykkishólmur – Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Borgarnes ~ Today we will explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which has a rich diversity of habitats including coastal shoreline, cliffs, lakes, rivers, and wetlands. We expect to find an array of birdlife in this varied terrain. The day will also include stops at Kirkjufell mountain and the Arnarstapi bird cliffs followed by birding in Staðarsveit. Dinner and overnight in Borgarnes.

Accommodations: Hotel Vesturland

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11 (Sun., June 1): Borgarnes – Seltjarnarnes – Reykjavik ~ On our final morning together, we’ll enjoy some down time shopping, exploring, and birding in Seltjarnarnes before our afternoon departure from Reykjavik.

Meals: Breakfast

DETAILS

Price: $7750* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. Add $1750** if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.

Includes: accommodations; private ground transportation for 11 days; two expert guides; daily birding and wildlife viewing with spotting scope available; meals as listed (11 breakfasts and 10 dinners); Breiðafjörður Bay ferry; entrance fees as listed; and whale watching excursion. A donation to support Denver Audubon’s education and conservation programs will be made on half of all participants.

Excludes: flights; passport fees; travel insurance (we can provide a quote); lunches; alcohol; treatments at Blue Lagoon; optional activities; and items of a personal nature.

Group Size: 8-12 Participants + Two Guides. We are known for smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries. We’re also committed to hiring local guides that live at the destination we’re visiting.

Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This trip involves multiple short daily walks on varied terrain (varied trails, gravel paths and mild elevation gain) with most walks between 1.5-3 miles in length and a total distance of up to 5 miles on a given day. When visiting, Látrabjarg Cliffs, we will walk closer to cliff edges (safely), but staying on designated paths under the instruction of our local guide. A whale watching excursion and ferry transfer are also included so travelers should be comfortable on a boat in open ocean. Travelers should expect moderate winds and occasional rain.

*Price is based on payment by check. Credit card fees will be assessed at time of booking based on type of card used. Tipping is not standard practice in Iceland.

**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a room, we’ll do our best to pair you. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the private room supplement will apply.